Game Introductions

Introductory missions are missions and cutscenes first made available to the player as soon as they start a new game in Grand Theft Auto games. The feature is only apparent in the series after Grand Theft Auto III's release.

Description

Whereas players Grand Theft Auto 1 and Grand Theft Auto 2 immediately begin without any activated missions, games released after, which are obligated to provide storylines, use a mix of cutscenes and gameplay to formally introduce the game as well as the plot to the player. In most cases, such missions serve as informal tutorials to familiarize the player to the driving and walking mechanics of the game, both fundamental to the game. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars further includes basic training for the use of the dual screen.

Introductory missions are normally untitled, although those from certain games do. Adding to the confusion is the appearance of mission names during certain periods that lead to confusion and inaccurate naming of the missions. The following are introduction missions as they appear.

Appearances

• GTA III: Untitled cutscenes, covering the bank robbery that Claude and Catalina has commited, Catalina's double crossing, Claude's arrest, Claude's and 8-Ball's freedom from a police convey, and the destruction of Callahan Bridge. The cutscenes are followed by "Give Me Liberty" (although the missions name in the code of GTA III was "In The Beginning...", it was shown as "Give Me Liberty..." in-game).
• GTA Vice City: "In The Beginning", covering an informal meeting at Saint Mark's Bistro where Sonny Forelli discusses dispatching Tommy Vercetti to Vice City, as well as the botched deal that followed, Tommy's arrival at the Ocean View Hotel and the phone conversation between Tommy and Sonny in the hotel.
• GTA San Andreas: Untitled mission, depicting Carl Johnson's departure from Liberty City, arrival in Los Santos, detention by C.R.A.S.H., abandonment in Ballas territory and Carl's eventual return to his old home. The cutscenes and mission are followed by "Big Smoke".
• GTA Advance: "Jump Start", depicting Mike's and Vinnie's intentions to complete one more job before they have enough money to leave Liberty City. The mission has Mike driving Vinnie to a meeting and returning to their hideout to await further instructions.
• GTA Liberty City Stories: Untitled cutscenes, depicting Toni Cipriani's arrival in Chinatown, his meeting with Salvatore Leone, and revelation that his position in the ranks has been given away to Vincenzo Cilli. The cutscenes are followed by "Home Sweet Home".
• GTA Vice City Stories: "Soldier", covering Victor Vance's first order from Sgt Jerry Martinez upon arriving at Fort Baxter to obtain and stash some drugs from a local drug dealer.
• GTA IV: "The Cousins Bellic", depicting Niko Bellic's arrival to Liberty City in a ship, Niko's reunion with Roman Bellic, and their arrival at Roman's apartment.
  • The Lost and Damned: "Clean and Serene", depicting The Lost biker gang riding to a hospital in north Alderney to pick up Billy Grey, as well as the retrieval of Billy's bike.
• GTA Chinatown Wars: "Yu Jian", showing Huang Lee's arrival in Liberty City, the ambush which see him trapped in a car trunk that is dumped into a river, and his escape and meeting with Wu Lee.